Immigration Request Template for New Zealand

Submit an Immigration Request when you plan to enter New Zealand for any purpose beyond a short tourist visit. This includes scenarios like accepting a job offer, enrolling in a university course, joining family members long-term, or starting a business in New Zealand.

Timing is crucial - file your Immigration Request at least 2-3 months before your intended travel date. Special circumstances, like seeking residency under the Skilled Migrant Category or partnering with a New Zealand citizen, need even more lead time. Submit early to avoid visa processing delays that could affect your travel plans, employment start dates, or study commitments.

• Visitor Visa Requests: For tourism, family visits, or business meetings lasting up to 9 months
• Work Visa Requests: Including Essential Skills, Working Holiday, and Post-Study work rights
• Student Visa Requests: For academic courses, vocational training, or English language studies
• Residence Visa Requests: Through Skilled Migrant Category, Family Category, or Business Categories
• Special Category Requests: Including Partnership visas, Refugee status, and Investor visa applications

• Visa Applicants: Individuals seeking to enter, work, study, or live in New Zealand must submit Immigration Requests through official channels
• Immigration Advisers: Licensed professionals who help prepare and submit applications, ensuring compliance with immigration laws
• Immigration New Zealand (INZ): Government agency that processes and decides on Immigration Requests
• Employers: Organizations sponsoring work visas or supporting skilled migrant applications
• Educational Institutions: Universities and schools providing documentation for student visa applications

• Personal Documentation: Gather valid passport, birth certificate, police certificates, and recent photos meeting INZ specifications
• Supporting Evidence: Collect proof of funds, employment contracts, qualification certificates, or relationship documents based on visa type
• Health Records: Complete required medical examinations and chest x-rays from approved physicians
• Application Forms: Select correct visa category and complete all relevant sections of the Immigration Request forms
• Verification: Double-check all documents are correctly translated, certified, and meet INZ's current requirements

• Personal Details: Full legal name, date of birth, nationality, passport information, and contact details in New Zealand
• Purpose Declaration: Clear statement of intended visa category and reasons for visiting New Zealand
• Character Information: Disclosure of any criminal history, deportation records, or immigration violations
• Financial Evidence: Proof of sufficient funds to support stay and return travel arrangements
• Health Declaration: Medical history and current health status as required by Immigration New Zealand
• Compliance Statement: Agreement to follow New Zealand laws and visa conditions during the stay

An Immigration Request differs significantly from an Immigration Form in several key ways, though they're often confused. While both relate to immigration processes, they serve distinct purposes in New Zealand's immigration system.

• Scope and Purpose: An Immigration Request is a comprehensive application package seeking specific permission to enter or stay in New Zealand, while an Immigration Form is a standardized document that may be just one component of the larger request
• Documentation Requirements: Immigration Requests typically include multiple supporting documents, evidence, and declarations, whereas Immigration Forms focus on collecting specific information in a structured format
• Processing Timeline: Immigration Requests often involve longer processing times due to their complexity and need for detailed review, while Immigration Forms may be processed more quickly as standalone documents
• Legal Weight: An Immigration Request represents a formal application that leads to binding immigration decisions, while an Immigration Form mainly serves as an information collection tool